MIMIC Protocol - PDF document

1 MIMIC Protocol Additional Information
MIMIC Protocol Additional Information for BOHA Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) is a network of trained volunteers, scientists, and state and federal agency workers who monitor marine invasive species throughout the north east United States. The collaborative provides an opportunity for the general public to actively participate in an invasive species early detection network, identify new invaders before they spread out of control, and help improve our understanding of the behavior of established invaders. Monitoring marine invasive species is not only a fun and exciting learning opportunity, but a great community activity as well. Full Text and Protocol can be found at http://www.mass.gov/czm/invasives/docs/mimic_guide_we b.pdf Islands Bumpkin – Dock and Cobble beach Spectacle – Dock, Cobble beach, Tidepools Lovells – Dock Cobb le beach Tidepools Thomp son – Dock and Cobble beach (TBD 2010) (NPS photo – Rothwell) Equipment Refractometer (bring 2 for groups of five +) Cl ipb oard (enough for half the group) ID Cards (one for every clip board ) Data Sheets Collection bags or containers Nets - Long and /or Short (see site guidance) Equipment should be stored together, checked out and returned for each use. Bumpkin Island The main dock on Bumpkin is very high out of the water, so make sure to bring the long nets or other scraping tool with a long handle . I f the smaller dock is accessible then the small nets are useful (lay on stomach over the edge of the dock and use net to help collect organisms ). The cobble beach is right in front of the ranger house, there are stairs leading down to the beach. This area cannot be surveyed one hour before and after high time. Low tide is the best time to survey all cobble beaches. Spect acle Island The main dock on Spectacle is very high out of the water, like Bumpkin, and the long nets are best for that dock. However, the marina docks float in the water and are perfect for lying on and using the small nets to help collect organisms. In the past the Spectacle Marina has contained the most MIMIC species, but it also has the most biodiversity. The marina is a nice place to start in order to get familiar with all the species and their different morphologies. Please Note: The Marina is staffe d in the summer. Check in with the staff and let them know

2 what you are doing in the Marina. If it
what you are doing in the Marina. If it is a very busy day you may not be able to survey in order to be courteous to Spectacle Island guests. The tide pool area on Spectacle is only good right at low tide . To do this check out the tide charts at http://www.boatma.com/tides/Boston - Harbor.html . I suggest arriving at the pools ½ hour before low t ide and working as the tide goes out. You mu st be very aware of where the water is or the waves will wash away your clipboards and ID cards. The cobble beach is to the left of the tidepool area if you are facing the island. This area, like the tide pools is best within one hour of low tide . S pectac le shoreline get s completely covered by the ocean at high tide so it is imperative that MIMIC participants be aware of the tides to avoid unnecessary injury or wetness . Lovells Island Lovells dock is similar to Bumpkin , with a main dock th at is high out o f the water with a small floating dock attach ed. If the attachment is acces sible , use the small nets . If the main dock is the only accessible dock then use the long nets . The main dock has a ladder down into the water on one of its sides; usually there is a rope on this ladder, in the past this has been a great place to find MIMIC species. Lovells tide pool area is good anytime but two hour s around high tide. The pools are small by the island and get larger an d deeper farther off shore . The small nets are good for these pools because of their larger size . These pools are home to juvenil e American Lobster. Please note that it is illegal to take ANY lobster home with you unless of the proper size and ONLY with a permit. Lovells cobble beach area is on the sh oreline with the tide pools but abuts the wooded area. This area can be accessed during the same times as the tide pools . Notes f or filling out the Data Sheets : Only o ne summary data sheet should be c ompleted for each site given each sample day. For group s, each participant can use their datasheet as a ‘worksheet ’ , then the group should discuss observations to create the summary data sheet (note: leader is responsible to double – check any unusual or outlier observations). Remember to record the DATE, and T IME on the data sheets Remember to note the WEATHER on the data sheet Make notes about interesting observations Properly COLLECT and LABEL any species you believe to be a Potential Invade